Mohd Effendi Daud

Long-baseline quasi-real time kinematic GPS data analysis for early tsunami warning

Real time monitoring of wave height in the ocean far from the coast can contribute to mitigation of a tsunami disaster. Here we demonstrate that early detection of a damaging tsunami can be achieved using a new long baseline kinematic GPS method, by tracking the anomalous changes in sea surface heights. The movement of a GPS buoy relative to a base station with a baseline length of 500 km has been monitored in quasi-real time mode, and the tsunami waves caused by the 5 September 2004 Off Kii Peninsula earthquake, Japan, have been successfully resolved. Based on the continuous analysis of GPS buoy data for 8 days, the average scattering of the low-pass filtered 1-Hz GPS buoy heights after tidal correction are about 3.4 cm and 1.2 cm for typhoon and calm weather, respectively. That is precise enough to detect tsunami waves with an amplitude of over 30 cm even under typhoon conditions. The long baseline can ensure an adequate evacuation time for people living on the coast.

Vulnerability assessment of existing low-rise reinforced concrete school buildings in low seismic region using ambient noise method

Ground movements triggered by the Bukit Tinggi earthquakes in 2007 to 2009 are believed to be the possible cause of several structural damages on a secondary school building of SMK Bukit Tinggi, in the state of Pahang, Malaysia. This paper describes the ambient noise study conducted on the damaged building (a 4-storey reinforced concrete frame laboratory building) and the adjacent buildings using tri-axial 1 Hz seismometer sensors. Fourier amplitude spectra (FAS) analysis was applied to determine the buildings natural frequencies for vulnerability assessment of the damaged structure in both longitudinal and transverse axes. Significant multiple peaks of FAS curves used for natural frequencies determination of the buildings show values between 4.18 to 4.34 Hz, 5.04 to 5.23 Hz, 6.07 to 6.54 Hz and 8.17 to 8.81 Hz, indicating the existence of translational and torsional vibration modes acting on the buildings. Differences in dynamic behaviour between the laboratory and the adjacent buildings may be responsible for the structural damages due to the independent structural response and excessive torsional effect during the Bukit Tinggi earthquake tremors.

Estimation of Site Dynamic Characteristics from Ambient Noise Measurements Using HVSR Method in Microzonation Study: Senggarang, Batu Pahat, Malaysia

Site dynamic characteristics evaluation of fundamental ground frequency, Fo and amplification factor, Ao in Senggarang region were presented in 2D and 3D contour maps (microzonation maps) based on the ambient noise measurements carried out using Lennartz 1 Hz tri-axial seismometer sensors. Reliability of Fo and Ao determined from the ambient noise technique has become the main key components in seismic hazard analysis, resonance effect assessment, predictions of sedimentary layer and shear wave velocity, through cheaper, non-destructive and quick methodology. 73 points of ambient noise records were analyzed using Horizontal-to-Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR) method in the boundary area of 800 m x 800 m with the grid spacing of 100 m x 100 m. Significant peaks of mean HVSR curves were checked against the criterions proposed by the SESAME guideline. Slight difference of the Fo contours pattern between the North-South (NS) and the East-West (EW) directions was observed, but vice versa to the Ao contours between both directions. Significant peaks of Fo values were distributed from 1.61 to 6.35 Hz, whereas the Ao values were found from 3.18 to 9.39. Wide gap between the ranges of Fo and Ao in respective direction have shown to the variation of sediment thicknesses. Meanwhile, dominance shape of significant peak from the HVSR curves may indicate to a large velocity contrast presence underneath the ground surfaces.

Identification of Natural Frequency of Low Rise Building on Soft Ground Profile using Ambient Vibration Method

Natural frequency is the rate at which a body to vibrate or oscillate. Application of ambient vibration (AV) excitation is widely used nowadays as the input motion for building predominant frequency, fo, and ground fundamental frequency, Fo, prediction due to simple, fast, non-destructive, simple handling operation and reliable result. However, it must be emphasized and caution to isolate these frequencies (fo and Fo) from spurious frequencies of site-structure effects especially to low rise building on soft ground deposit. In this study, identification of fo and Fo by using AV measurements were performed on ground and 4-storey primary school reinforced concrete (RC) building at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sg. Tongkang, Rengit, Johor using 1 Hz of tri-axial seismometer sensor. Overlapping spectra between Fourier Amplitude Spectra (FAS) from and Horizontal to Vertical Spectra Ratio (HVSR) were used to distinguish respective frequencies of building and ground natural frequencies. Three dominant frequencies were identified from the FAS curves at 1.91 Hz, 1.98 Hz and 2.79 Hz in longitudinal (East West-EW), transverse (North South-NS) and vertical (UD) directions. It is expected the building has deformed in translational mode based on the first peak frequency by respective NS and EW components of FAS spectrum. Vertical frequency identified from the horizontal spectrums, might induces to the potential of rocking effect experienced by the school building. Meanwhile, single peak HVSR spectrum at low ground fundamental frequency concentrated at 0.93 Hz indicates to the existence deep contrast of soft deposit. Strong interaction between ground and building at similar frequency (0.93 Hz) observed from the FAS curves on the highest floor has shown the building to behave as a dependent unit against ground response as one rigid mass.

Influence of Traffic Vehicles Against Ground Fundamental Frequency Prediction using Ambient Vibration Technique

Ambient vibration (AV) technique is widely used nowadays for ground fundamental frequency prediction. This technique is easy, quick, non-destructive, less operator required and reliable result. The input motions of ambient vibration are originally collected from surrounding natural and artificial excitations. But, careful data acquisition controlled must be implemented to reduce the intrusion of short period noise that could imply the quality of frequency prediction of an investigated site. In this study, investigation on the primary noise intrusion under peak (morning, afternoon and evening) and off peak (early morning) traffic flows (only 8 meter from sensor to road shoulder) against the stability and quality of ground fundamental frequency prediction were carried out. None of specific standard is available for AV data acquisition and processing. Thus, some field and processing parameters recommended by previous studies and guideline were considered. Two units of 1 Hz tri-axial seismometer sensor were closely positioned in front of the main entrance Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. 15 minutes of recording length were taken during peak and off peak periods of traffic flows. All passing vehicles were counted and grouped into four classes. Three components of ambient vibration time series recorded in the North-South: NS, East-West: EW and vertical: UD directions were automatically computed into Horizontal to Vertical Spectral Ratio (HVSR), by using open source software of GEOPSY for fundamental ground frequency, Fo determination. Single sharp peak pattern of HVSR curves have been obtained at peak frequencies between 1.33 to 1.38 Hz which classified under soft to dense soil classification. Even identical HVSR curves pattern with close frequencies prediction were obtained under both periods of AV measurement, however the total numbers of stable and quality windows selected for HVSR computation were significantly different but both have satisfied the requirement given by SESAME (2004) guideline. Besides, the second peak frequencies from the early morning HVSR curve was clearly indicated between 8.23 to 8.55 Hz at very low amplitude (Ao < 2), but it should be neglected according to the similar guideline criteria. In conclusion, the ground fundamental frequency using HVSR method was successfully determined by 1 Hz seismometer instrument with recommended to specific parameters consideration on field as well as data processing, without disruption from the nearest traffic excitations.

A Study of Geological Formation on Different Sites in Batu Pahat, Malaysia Based On HVSR Method Using Microtremor Measurement

Geological formation is a one of information need to know during site reconnaissance. Conventional method like borehole has been known is very accurate to identify the formation of geology of a site. However, the problem of this technique is very expensive and not economical for large area. In the last decade, microtremor measurement has been introduced as an alternative technique and widely used in the geological formation study. Therefore, the aim in this study is to determine the geological formation underneath of surface in Batu Pahat district using microtremor measurement. There are two parameters have been carried out from microtremor measurement in term of natural frequency and HVSR curves images. Microtremor measurements are done conducted at 15 sites surrounding of Batu Pahat. Horizontal to vertical spectral ratio (HVSR) method was used for analyzing microtermor measurement data, to determine the natural frequency and also HVSR curves image. In this study, values of natural frequencies are used to classify the soil types with range in the between 0.93 to 5.35 Hz, meanwhile the pattern of HVSR curve images has been shown exists a few groups of soil types surrounding Batu Pahat district. Hence, microtremor measurement indirectly can be used as a one technique to add value in the site reconnaissance in the future.